Modular removable covering and barrier system

Abstract

A modular removable covering and barrier system. In one embodiment, a removable pool or pond covering system includes a track assembly installed on a deck along the perimeter of a pool, a sheet of plastic or other suitable material spanning the area enclosed by the track assembly, a bottom seal between the track assembly and the deck, and a top seal between the track system and the sheet of plastic. The track assembly may be modular such that the track assembly can be installed on any size and shape of pool or pond and can be easily stored when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A removable pool or pond covering system having a deck around a perimeter of said pool or pond, which system comprises:
 a track assembly surrounding the perimeter of a pool or pond, said track assembly having a base and an opposed top side; 
 at least one resilient bottom seal extending from said base of said track assembly, said at least one bottom seal engaging a deck around said perimeter; 
 an opening having an enlarged channel cavity along said top side of the track assembly such that the opening is narrower than the channel cavity and both span a length of the track assembly; 
 a sheet of flexible material spanning an area enclosed by the track assembly and overlaying and received in said opening having an enlarged channel cavity; and 
 a resilient top seal, at least a portion receivable into said opening and said enlarged channel cavity, said top seal inserted into the channel cavity, retaining said flexible sheet and creating a seal between the flexible sheet and the track assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  where the track assembly is modular having a plurality of elongated track segments, each with two opposing distal ends connectable to span the entire perimeter. 
     
     
       3. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 2  where the plurality of track segments are joined together at their distal ends by a plurality of joinder brackets affixed to the distal ends at an inner surface of the channel cavity. 
     
     
       4. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  where the track assembly is affixed to the perimeter of the deck with fasteners. 
     
     
       5. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 4  wherein said fasteners include a plurality of anchors in said deck and a plurality of screws passing through openings in said plurality of track segments, said screws receivable in said anchors. 
     
     
       6. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one bottom seal comprises two parallel seal strips that span said base of the track assembly. 
     
     
       7. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 6  wherein each of said seal strips includes a compressible protuberant portion received in a channel in said base of said track assembly. 
     
     
       8. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one bottom seal comprises one seal strip as wide as the track that spans said base of the track assembly. 
     
     
       9. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein said top seal comprises a relatively flat portion and an opposed compressible protuberant portion. 
     
     
       10. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 9  wherein said compressible protuberant portion is received inside of the cavity and held inside by the opening such that the flat portion of the top seal strip rests squarely on both outer surfaces of the narrow opening to create a seal. 
     
     
       11. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein a space between the flexible sheet and the surface of the pool or pond is airtight. 
     
     
       12. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 11  wherein the space between the flexible sheet and the surface of the pool is inflated. 
     
     
       13. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 12  wherein a fan or blower inflates the space through at least one tube connected to the flexible sheet. 
     
     
       14. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 13  wherein a connection of the hose to the cover further comprises at least one twist lock hose connector. 
     
     
       15. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of elongated track segments include linear segments. 
     
     
       16. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of elongated track segments include curved segments. 
     
     
       17. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of elongated track segments include angled segments. 
     
     
       18. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein said sheet of flexible material is opaque. 
     
     
       19. The pool or pond covering system of  claim 1  wherein said sheet of flexible material is black in color on a first side and white in color on a second side. 
     
     
       20. A removable covering or barrier system for enclosing an open area, which system comprises:
 a track assembly surrounding a perimeter of said open area, said track assembly having a base and an opposed top side; 
 at least one resilient bottom seal extending from said base of said track assembly, said at least one bottom seal engaging a surface around said perimeter; 
 an opening having an enlarged channel cavity along said top side of the track assembly such that the opening is narrower than the channel cavity and both span a length of the track assembly; 
 a sheet of flexible material spanning an area enclosed by the track assembly and overlaying and received in said opening having an enlarged channel cavity; and 
 a resilient top seal, at least a portion receivable into said opening and said enlarged channel cavity, said top seal inserted into the channel cavity, retaining said flexible sheet and creating a seal between the flexible sheet and the track assembly.